Feeder unit for automatic washing machines



ept- 30, 1958 w. o. MANLEY 2,854,038

FEEDER UNIT FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES Filed July 9, 1956 2 Sheets-Shael Sept. 30, 1958 w. o. MANLEY FEEDER UNITFOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Shea- Filed July 9, 1956 Rm w N M W0. m w m United States Patent 2,854,038 FEEDERUNIT'FORAUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES William 0. Manley, North KansasCity, M0,, assignor to Bill Glover, In c.,-Kansas City, Mo.,-a corporation of --Missouri Application luly 9, 1'956fSeiial "No."596,494

8 Claims. (Cltr14167) This invention relates to the dispensingbf materials, :both :granular and liquid, and ,particularly to a feeder :having a plurality of gravity actuated containers respon- .sive to an automatic control forming a part of a washing .machine:for dumpingtheentirecontents thereof. into a hopper communicating with the .machine in .successive order as corresponding release mechanism for .each container respectively is releasediby virtue of the aforementioned automatic controls.

This .is :animprovement -over the invention of my 11. S. Letters Patent. No.. 2,762,527, granted on September 411, "1956 upon application Serial .No. 403,789, filed Jannary .13, .1954, and has for its-primary object to improve upon :the Automatic Feeder For Washing Machines disclosed in .such; patent.

his the most-important object-of the present invention to provide a feeder unitfor automatic washing machineslhaving a plurality of movablymounted .supply containers properly weighted and therefore rockable or tiltable for gravity discharge of the contents thereof into a hopper upon release of individual latches or locks for the containers, together with means for flushing the material dumped into the hopper through avalved outlet and thence into the machine each time a container is released.

Anotherimportant object of the instant invention .is the provision of automatic means for opening the normally closed valve of the aforementioned outlet each time acontainer is released through mechanism operably coupled with the structure for controlling the release of the containerlocks or latches.

An important aim of this invention is to provide a feederunit wherein the latch releasing structure imparts step by-step rotative movement to a cam shaft for-releasing the latches in predetermined sequence by virtue of a staggered arrangement of the cams on the shafts, togetherwith indexing means operable inconjunction with spring means for holding the shaft biased toward one end of its path of travel, to positively yet yieldably hold the cam shaft in each of its stepped positions.

An object of the present invention'is the provision of adispenser having a container unit that may be quickly and easily removed from the hopper supporting the same for cleaning purposes, and having the individual containers rotatably and .removably mounted on a rod that rests upon a pair of spaced uppermost edges forming a part of the material-receiving hopper.

wAfurther aim of the instant invention is to provide a'feecler unit wherein the individual containers are entirely depleted inpredetermined order by virtue of pivotal movement about a fixed axis, the aforementioned removable container unit being in turn provided with a swingable actuator on the container supporting rod for permitting manual swinging of the containers to'a normalupright position where they'are held by the latches in-hooked relationship to an enga'geable part 'of each container respectively.

"Astill further aim of this invention is the provision ice of a sprayhead=at one end of the-hopper for flushing the materials-therefrom during each movement of the containers tota -dumping position for; discharge into the machinewhile-the valve-of the-outlet which places the hopper -:into com-munication-with the machine is held in an open position.

Other aims and objects of the invention about to be desc-ribed relate toimportant details of construction, all of "which WiILbe-made-clear or become 'apparent'as the following specification progresses, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is atop plan view'of -a feeder unit for-auto,- matic washing machines made pursuant to my present invention;

Big. \2 -is-an endfelevational View of the feeder unit shown ein Eig. 1,rillustrating-the same operably -mounted on an automatic washing machine, parts being broken away and in section for --clearness;

.-Fig.-E3 -is-a fragmentary view showing the opposite end of'the ,feeder;

Fig. -4-is a frontselevational view thereof;

Fig. 5 is.a vertical, cross-sectional view similar -to Fig. 2, taken on line VV of Fig. 1; and Fig. 6- is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on line V-I-V-I of Fig. 4. l

T heautomatic washing machinewith which the feeder unit depi'cted the drawings is adapted to be used formsno particularxpart of the-present invention and therefore, I .in Figs. 2 and 5 such machine, broadly designated by the numeral 10, is shown fragmentarily,-illustr-ating; the outermost 'shell 12 whichcontainstherewithin the usual washing tub (not shown) The feeder runiLpe-r'se includes anelongate'd, open top -hopper 1-4 thatis supported by the shell 12 through -the,mediumofone of more arms 16 and '18 that are preferably tubular, shell 12 being provided with an opening 20 placingthearm 18 into communi'cation with the aforementioned tub in any suitable manner (not shown). The hopper :14 isprovided with a bottom -22 that'slopes'downwardly toward the-arm or tubular outlet 18 as' seeminFig. 4,-and isprovided witha'n outlet :24Jpresenting-a seat for a vertically reciprocable valve 26-that-is-normallyclosed as illustrated-in Fig. S-of the drawings. A notch 2S in the upper face of bottom 22 extends laterally fromthe seat-24 to assure drainage of the :hopper 14- of all of its contents, even when the valve 26 =is .closed. I

I The hopperl4 is closed at the-ends thereof by a pair of walls 30 and 32 that are coextensive in height with rear =wall 34 :of hopper 14 and which extend beyond theushorter-front-wall-36'of hopper 1'4, as illustrated in Eigs. l to -3 inclusive, 5 and 6. The uppermost edges of the walls- 30 and 32 removably support a container unit broadly designated by the numeral 38 and which includes an elongated rod 40 having tubular sleeves 42 and -44 telescopedover the ends thereof, the sleeve 44 being preferably readily removable. Annular grooves 42' and-44--fit within'notches v30' and-32' within the upper edges -;of walls 30=and 32 respectively, to hold the unit against displacement.

. he trod-4ll-rotatablysupports a -plurali-ty of containers 46 '4$, 50 and--52 through the 'me'dium of tubes 54, traversingsuch containers-andtelescoped on the rod 40, .it being 'seen in-Figs. land 4 that the tubes- 54 extend beyond the sides of the containers to hold the same in spaced relationship between the collars '42 and 44.

Containers and 48 are identical and open atthe top thereof as seen in-Figs. land 6. A pair of spaced, vertical, substantially semicircular side walls 56 are interconnectedby an arcuate bottom wall 58 and the tubes 54 thereof are rigid to the two side walls 5656.

'The two containers 50 and '52 are likewise identical and include a pair of spaced, vertical, substantially cir- I cular side walls 60 interconnected by a substantially circular third wall 62- that surrounds the rod 40 and is provided with a downwardly bent flap portion 64 presenting an inlet opening 66. A Wing; or apron 68 on the outermost face of wall 62 overlies a plurality of outlet openings 70 in the wall 62 when the containers S and '52 are in the normal upright position shown in Fig. 5.

The tubes 54 of the containers 50 and 52 likewise interconnect the walls 60-60 thereof and it is to be noted that all of the tubes 54 are so positioned as to center of gravity for causing the containers to swing anticlockwise (viewing Figs. 2 and 5) when released from the normal upright position.

An L-shaped member 72 secured to the collar 42 is 'engageable with the wall 58 of containers 46 and 48 and with the apron 68 of containers 50 and 52 when swung through use of handle 74 secured to collar 42 in the manner illustrated by Fig. f the drawings to return the t four containers to the upright position illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6.

It is now seen that the entire unit 38 may readily be removed from the hopper 14 for cleaning or other purposes and that the collar 42, together with the member 72 and handle 74 may be removed from the rod 40, whereupon each of the four containers may in turn be removed from rod 40.

The extended wings of the sides and 32 are interconnected by a bar 76 upon which are swingably mounted a plurality of latches 78 in the nature of hooks that normally engage over the uppermost edges of walls 58 and 62 to hold the containers 46, 48, and 52 against gravitational swinging movement to a dumping position.

Springs 80 on the bar 76 yieldably bias the latches 78 against corresponding earns 82 rigid to a rotatable shaft 84 that extends through the walls 30 and 32, adjacent to and in parallelism with the bar 76. The relative positions of the cams 82 on the shaft 84 may be adjusted by loosening fasteners 86 that attach the cams 82 to the shaft 84. i

One end of the shaft 84 is provided with a knob 88 that may be manually manipulated to rotate shaft 84 and thereby properly position the cams 82 with respect 'to their corresponding latches 78 at the beginning of the cycle of operation, and in this respect, suitable indicating indicia (not shown) may be provided on the knob 88 and on the outer face of the wall 32 to guide the operator in such proper positioning of the cams 82.

Shaft 84 is horizon-tally reciprocable longitudinally thereof within the walls 30 and 32 and held biased toward one end of its path of travel by a spring 90 coiled thereabout to yieldably hold a ratchet wheel 92 against a small block 93 mounted on the outer face of the wall 30. Ratchet 92 is rigid to the shaft 84 and provided with a plurality of indentations 94, one for each container respectively. A spring loaded ball 96 enters the indenta-tions 94 upon ninety degree stepping of the ratchet wheel 92 and therefore, the shaft 84 as well as the cams 28 mounted thereon.

The structure for actuating the ratchet wheel 92 includes a solenoid broadly designated by the numeral 98 carried by the wall 30 and having its horizontally reciprocable core 100 pivotally connected to one end of a crank 102 that is swingable on shaft 84 by a link 104. An actuating pawl 106 swingable on the crank 102 at the opposite end thereof is yieldably biased toward the periphery of ratchet wheel 92 for engagement with the teeth of the latter by a spring 108 carried by the crank 102.

A pin 110 extending upwardly from ball type valve 26 is guided for vertical reciprocation within a tube 112 mounted on one end of a support 114 therefor, that is in turn adjustably carried by the wall 30 within the hopper 14. A bifurcated extension 116 on a stub shaft 118 embraces the pin 110 between a pair of spaced set collars 120 and 122 adjustably secured to the pin 110. The stub shaft 118 is rotatable in the wall 30 and has a small crank 124 rigidly secured thereto exteriorly of the hopper 14, the crank 124 being pivotally connected with the crank 102 by a link 126. A spring 128 interconnecting the wall 30 and the crank 124 yieldably holds the latter biased toward one end of its path of travel.

Water under pressure from a suitable source (not shown) is directed into the hopper 30 by a supply line 130 having a solenoid valve 132 interposed therein and extending through the wall 32 of hopper 14 adjacent the bottom 22 of the latter. The supply line 130 terminates within the hopper 14 in a dome-shaped spray head 134, having a horizontal outlet slot 136 for completely flushing the bottom 22 of hopper 14 and the sides 34 and 36 thereof adjacent bottom 22.

The valve 26 is provided primarily as a safety measure because of the fact that many users of automatic washing machines use an excessive amount of soaps and detergents, resulting in high, thin suds which would tend to flow into the hopper 14 by way of outlet tube 18 during operation of the machine. Those skilled in this art, however, are aware of the fact that dirt is carried away from the clothing and other materials being washed more eifectively by low, heavy suds and in that event, the valve 26 would not be necessary. I

At the beginning of the cycle of operation the containers of the unit 38 are all in the full line position shown tainers 46 and 48 may include a powdered soap or detergent. The containers S0 and 52 are adapted, however, for containing liquid materials such as bluing, bleach, sour and the like. The four containers may be dumpd in any desired sequence simply by adjusting the cams 82 on the shaft 84 upon loosening of their setscrews 86. In fact, two or more containers may be dumped simultaneously if desired through such adjustment of the cams 82.

Assuming, however, that the cams 82 are set for successive dumping of the four containers, as soon as the automatic control structure (not shown) of the machine 10 energizes the solenoids 98 and 132 simultaneously, the first cam 82 will rotate to a position retracting its latch 78, thereby permitting the container 46 to gravitate anticlockwise viewing Fig. 2. This is accomplished by inward movement of the core 100 of solenoid 98 which swings the crank 102 anticlockwise, viewing Fig. 3, through the link 104. Pawl 106 engaging one of the teeth of the ratchet wheel 92 advances the latter and thereupon falls into place behind the next succeeding tooth of the ratchet 92 by action of spring 108.

Swinging of the crank 102 imparts a swinging movement to the crank 124 through link 126, thereby rotating stub shaft 118 and swinging the arm extension 116 upwardly to raise the valve 26 off its seat 24 when the arm 116 moves into engagement with the set collar 120. Water flowing into the hopper 14 through the spray head 134 flushes away the material dumped by the container 46 by virtue of the slot 136 and manifestly, with valve 26 held open such flushing water admixes with the soap or detergent and flows in a diluted condition into the machine 10 by way of outlet pipe or tube 18.

After a predetermined period of time the solenoids 98 and 132 are deenergized, thereby moving pawl 106 to the next succeeding tooth of ratchet 92 as aforementioned, and permitting valve 26 to move the closed position against seat 24 under the added influence of spring 128. It is to be noted that the arm 116 engages collar 122, holding valve 26 firmly seated and preventing backflow ofihigh suds into the hopper 14 as above mentioned. Any'material remaining in the hopper 14 after closing-"of the valve .26 will seep into the "outlet 18 by way "of notch28.

During each ninety degree rotation of the ratchet '92, spring loaded hall 96 enters one ofthe indentations'94 and positively. holds the shaft 84 against rotation incident to vibration of the machine. Furthermoradu'ring each ninety degree cycle of operation one ormore containers is dumped, valve 26is'held open and flushing water is permitted tofiow into the hopper '14. .When the containers '50 and 52 are dumped flaps 164 and 68 prevent undue splatter-ing and the liquid flows therefrom through openings 70. 'The admixture of the 'flushing water with liquids'emanatingfrom'the openings 70 to dilute the same before passage from the hopper 14 into the machine is particularly important and advantageous. After all containers have been dumped the operator may quickly and easily return the same to the normal upright position by grasping handle 72 and swinging the element 72 against the walls 58 as well as the aprons 68. The latches 78 readily yield against the action of springs 80 and the containers snap into place beneath the hook-like terminal ends of the latches 78. In the upright position the four containers may be easily refilled with the desired materials and the machine is ready for the next cycle of operation. In the event that the earns 82 are set to dump more than one container upon a single actuation of solenoid 98, it will be necessary for the operator to reset the shaft 84 after each cycle and such may be done easily by manipulation of knob 88 as hereinabove described.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a washing machine, a hopper having a valved outlet communicating with the machine; a plurality of containers carried by the hopper for gravitational movement to a position dumping the contents thereof into the hopper, each container having a latch-engaging part; a latch for each container respectively engageable with said part thereof for holding the containers against movement to said position; a rotatable shaft; a cam member for each latch respectively rigid to the shaft, said cam members having cam surfaces disposed to engage their latches to move the latter out of engagement with said parts upon rotation of the shaft; and structure operably coupled with the shaft and with the valve of said outlet for simultaneously rotating the shaft and opening the valve of said outlet.

2. In a washing machine, a hopper having a valved outlet communicating with the machine and a valved water inlet; a plurality of containers carried by the hopper for gravitational movement to a position dumping the contents thereof into the hopper, each container having a latch-engaging part; a latch for each container respectively engageable with said part thereof for holding the containers against movement to said position; a rotatable shaft; a cam member for each latch respectively rigid to the shaft, said cam members having cam surfaces disposed to engage their latches to move the latter out of engagement with said parts upon rotation of the shaft; and structure operably coupled with the shaft and with the valve of said outlet for simultaneously rotating the shaft and opening the valve of said outlet as the valve of said outlet as the valve of said inlet is opened.

3. In a washing machine, a hopper having a valved outlet at one end thereof communicating with the machine; a plurality of containers carried by the hopper for gravitational movement to a position dumping the contents thereof into the hopper; a valved water inlet terminating in a spray head within the hopper at the opposite end thereof for flushing said contents into said outlet, each container having a latch-engaging part; a latch for each container respectively engageable with said part thereof for holding the containers against movement to said position; a rotatable shaft; a cam member for each taneously rotating the shaft and opening the valve of said outlet 'asthe-valve of said inlet-is opened.

'4. In a washingmachine having a hollow tub; a hop per; anarmffor attaching thehopperto. the tub, said arm'being tubular for placing thehopper into-communication with the tub when'theh'opper is attached theretoya valve in the hopper normally closing said arm; a plurality of "containers carried by the hopper 'for gravitational movement to a'positi'on dumpingthe contents thereof-into the hoppen each container "having a lateh engaging -pa-rt; a latch for each container respectively engageable with said part thereof for holding the containers against movement to said position; a rotatable shaft; a cam member for each latch respectively rigid to the shaft, said cam members having cam surfaces disposed to engage their latches to move the latter out of engagement with said parts upon rotation of the shaft; and structure operably coupled with the shaft and with the valve for simultaneously rotating the shaft and opening the valve.

5. In a washing machine, a hopper having a valved outlet communicating with the machine; a plurality of containers carried by the hopper for gravitational movement to a position dumping the contents thereof into the hopper, each container having a latch-engaging part; a latch for each container respectively engageable with said part thereof for holding the containers against movement to said position; a rotatable shaft; a cam member for each latch respectively rigid to the shaft, said cam members having cam surfaces disposed to engage their latches to move the latter out of engagement with said parts upon rotation of the shaft; a movable element normally holding the valve of said outlet closed; means engageable with said element upon movement of the latter toward one end of its path of travel for opening said valve; and structure operably coupled with the shaft and with said element for simultaneously rotating the shaft and moving the element to said one end of its path of travel.

6. In a washing machine, a hopper having'a valved outlet communicating with the machine; a plurality of containers carried by the hopper for gravitational movement to a position dumping the contents thereof into the hopper, each container having a latch-engaging part; a latch for each container respectively engageable with said part thereof for holding the containers against movement to said position; a rotatable shaft; a cam member for each latch respectively rigid to the shaft, said cam members having cam surfaces disposed to engage their latches to move the latter out of engagement with said parts upon rotation of the shaft; a movable element normally holding the valve of said outlet closed; means engageable with said element upon movement of the latter toward one end of its path of travel for opening said valve; means operably connected with said element for yieldably holding the latter biased to the opposite end of its path of travel; and structure operably coupled with the shaft and with said element for simultaneously rotating the shaft and moving the element to said one end of its path of travel against the action of said means.

7. In a washing machine, a hopper communicating with the machine; a plurality of containers carried by the hopper for gravitational movement to a position dumping the contents thereof into the hopper, each container having a latch-engaging part; a latch for each container respectively engageable with said part thereof for holding the containers against movement to said position; a rotatable shaft; structure operably coupled with said shaft for imparting step-by-step rotative movement thereto; a cam member for each latch respectively, said cam members being disposed on the shaft to engage and release at least one latch each time the shaft is stepped; and indexing means for yieldably holding the shaft in each of its stepped positions. i

8. In a washing machine, a hopper communicating with the machine; a plurality of containers carried by the hopper for gravitational movement to a position dumping the contents thereof into the hopper, each container having a latch-engaging part; a latch for each container respectively engageable with said part thereof for holding the containers against movement to said position; a rotatable shaft reciprocably carried by the hopper; structure operably coupled with said shaft and including a device on the shaft for imparting step-by-step rotative movement thereto; a cam member for each latch respectively,

said cam members being disposed on the shaft to engage 2,762,527

es and release at least one latch each time the shaft is stepped; indexing means engageable with said device for holding" the shaft in each of its stepped positions; and means biasing the shaft toward one end of its path of reciprocable travel for yieldably holding the device against said indexing means. i

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,494,631 Robefls May 20, 1924 2,324,580 'Hight July 20, 1943 2,339,396 Harvey Ian. 18, 1944 Manley Sept. 11, 1956 

